Registering Your Pet

Losing a dog or cat is one of the most heart-breaking situations a pet parent can go through. For many people, a pet is a beloved family member and the thought of losing that pet and not being able to find him is painful.

Every day Broward County Animal Care receives dogs or cats that have become lost from home. Unfortunately, many of these pets have no form of identification on them, making it virtually impossible to contact their owner.

The best way to ensure a happy reunion with your dog or cat is to have your pet properly registered with us. Once registered, you will receive a Rabies Registration Tag that must be securely attached to your pet’s collar. The simple act of registering your pet and keeping a collar and tag on him at all times will help to identify your precious family member. This way, if your pet does becomes lost, we are able to contact you right away so that he can return home as quickly and safely as possible.

Benefits Of Registration

Pets are our friends and companions. They look to us for everything from food and water to shelter and love.

They also need us to be their “voice” so that if they become lost from home, they are able to let someone know who they are and where they belong. By registering your dog or cat, you are giving your pet a voice so that they will be able to “phone home” in order to be reunited with you.

By simply registering your pet with us:

We will be able to keep your pet’s information on file, as well as your name, address and phone information.

If your pet becomes lost, we (or someone who finds your pet) will be able to check your pet’s registration number and link to your contact information so you can be called about your pet’s whereabouts.

Your pet’s registration confirms that you are the registered owner of the pet.

Not only does pet registration benefit your pet, but the fees we collect are used to feed and care for the homeless pets in our care. In addition, $3.00 from each tag issued is used to fund our SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) Program, which promotes responsible pet ownership through spaying and neutering.

Registration Requirements

Broward County law requires both dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County Rabies Registration Tag. The tag should be worn by your pet at all times so that he can be identified in case he gets lost from home.

Dogs and cats four months or older must be registered.

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies to be registered. A copy of a current Rabies Certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, must be presented at the time of purchase.

If a licensed veterinarian has determined that a rabies vaccination will be detrimental to your pet’s health, he may issue a Waiver Certificate. This Certificate must be signed by the veterinarian and sent to Broward County Animal Care. However, a Pet Registration Tag must still be purchased.

“Indoor” pets are not exempt from Broward County’s registration requirement. Every day, Broward County Animal Care receives “indoor” animals that have slipped out of an open door or window, or escaped through weak or loose screening or fencing. Such pets easily become lost since they are often not familiar with their neighborhood.

Pets that have a tattoo, microchip or personalized name tag, are still required to have a Broward County Rabies Registration Tag.

How Registration Works

The issuing of a Rabies Registration Tag works in conjunction with your pet’s rabies vaccination because you cannot purchase the tag until your pet is vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies Registration Tags are available for both dogs and cats and must be renewed each year on the anniversary of your pet's rabies vaccination. See the examples below:

If your pet received both a one-year rabies vaccination and a Rabies Registration Tag on February 3, 2013, both the rabies vaccination and Rabies Registration Tag will expire on February 3, 2014.

If your pet received a one-year rabies vaccination on February 3, 2013, but you do not purchase the Rabies Registration Tag until March 3, 2013, the Rabies Registration Tag will only be valid for 11 months, since the rabies vaccine will expire on February 3, 2014.

SPECIAL NOTE:Three-year Rabies Registration Tags are no longer available. Instead, you must must remember to renew the Rabies Registration Tag when it expires in 12 months, even though your pet’s rabies vaccine is still valid for another two years.

Cost of the Rabies Registration Tag

The cost of the Rabies Registration Tag depends on whether your pet is a dog or cat and whether your pet is spayed/neutered*.

DOGS:

If your dog is spayed/neutered (fixed)--$25

If your dog is NOT spayed/neutered (fixed)--$55

CATS:

If your cat is spayed/neutered (fixed)--$15

If your cat is NOT spayed/neutered (fixed)--$30

A $10 late fee will be applied if your Rabies Registration Tag is not purchased within 30 days of your pet's rabies vaccination.

PLEASE NOTE: There is now a $600 fine for pets that are not vaccinated against rabies and registered with the County.